PJP II Offense Wakes Up In Win Over Boca Christian

Matt Luzzi was the spark plug for the offense all day for the Eagles.

The Pope John Paul offense has been mostly missing through the first six games of the season. Outside of 10 runs the Eagles put up against Jupiter Christian, the offense has failed to score more than four runs in any other game. Until Thursday.

The Eagles bats came to life in a big way, scoring 11 runs in the first three innings, and then cruising to a 15-2 win over Boca Christian. Lead-off hitter Matt Luzzi led the way, going 3-for-3 in the first three innings alone, with a triple, two singles, two runs, and two RBIs.

Luzzi was joined in the top-of-the-order hit parade by Zander Retamar and Stephen Gogreve. Retamar and Gogreve were also on base all three plate appearances in the opening three frames, with Retamar going 2-for-3 with a double and three RBIs, and Gogreve hitting a double and two singles. Combined, the three went 8-for-9, driving in seven of the teams 11 runs through three.

“Matt (Luzzi) has a knack for hitting and getting us started,” said Eagles Manager Pete Graffeo. “Zander (Retamar) is one of our best all-around hitters, and today I had Stephen (Gogreve) batting third, and all three of them hit the ball hard all day. It was good to see because we haven’t been swinging the bats too well early on.”

On the mound for the Eagles was Nick Transleau, who received his first start of the season. Transleau had little trouble with the Boca Christian offense, allowing only two hits in three innings of work.

“I thought Nick did a good job today,” said Graffeo. “He was throwing strikes, and that’s what we want from our pitcher’s, pound the zone, and let the guys behind them make the plays.”

Transleau may have gone deeper in the game if not for the big early lead, but despite the slow start, Boca Christian continued to battle throughout the game. After a rocky start, Eagles starter R.J. Walsh settled down and threw two shutout innings. The Eagles offense was finally able to get going in the fifth.

Boca Christian’s R.J. Walsh delivers a pitch Thursday afternoon.

Rudy Lopez led off the inning with a double. After a one-out walk to Grant Gardiner, Blaize McSweeney loaded the bases with a single. A fielder’s choice groundout off the bat of Casey Carpinello gave Boca Christian their first run of the game, and Jarrett Mays followed with an RBI single.

“We had been off to a good start, but today was our first test against a bigger school,” said Boca Christian Manager Clint Erickson. “It was a good challenge for us today. We came out flat early, but played better as the game went on. I like the way we fought in the middle innings. It’s a learning experience game, and we just need to work keep working on getting better.”

While the Eagles record dropped to 3-2, they are entering an important two-game district stretch where they will face Lake Worth Christian and Wellington Christian.

Pope John Paul will face two non-district opponents before a district clash with Summit Christian next Tuesday.

Leave a comment using your facebook account!